Northwestern players to watch in Week 5 against Penn State | Penn State Football News - RAW CHILI

Penn State heads to Evanston, Illinois, to face Northwestern in the first game at the new Ryan Field at 8 p.m. on Friday.

The Wildcats are led by their dual-threat quarterback and their top wide receiver who will see more emphasis should tight end Luke Dehnicke be ruled out.

Here’s who to watch on Northwestern’s side.

Aidan Chiles, quarterback

After two years as Michigan State’s starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles transferred to Northwestern and has been the Wildcats’ offensive engine through three games.

An archetypal dual-threat quarterback, Chiles has 30 carries and four rushing touchdowns, both team highs. Chiles has been an efficient passer too, completing 70.7% of his throws so far this season and accumulating 807 yards.

These scoring numbers are exponentially higher at this point than his final season as a Spartan where he was dealing with an injury and had to miss the final three games, including Michigan State’s matchup against Penn State. Chiles posted 1,392 passing yards for 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 227 yards for six touchdowns in 2025.

Chiles put in a worthy performance against Indiana, going 22-29 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked four times, but had a gain of 15 on the ground as well, breaking even in rushing yards.

Griffin Wilde, wide receiver

With Dehnicke “doubtful,” Northwestern’s top wide receiver is primed for an even bigger role in the passing game on Friday.

In 2025, Wilde earned All-Big Ten third team honors in his first season as a Wildcat after two years at South Dakota State. He racked up 880 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 71 catches as a junior.

So far this season, Wilde’s been Chiles’ top target, with 14 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard reception against his old team. Both of his touchdowns came in the loss to the Hoosiers, and he had a season-high six receptions.

Behind Wilde, the next closest wide receiver for the Wildcats has 78 yards on the season, so if they’re going to have a shot at beating Penn State through the air, Wilde will have to be a primary focus.

Penn State’s offensive line lines up during the Penn State Homecoming football game against Northwestern in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Wildcats beat the Nittany Lions 22-21.

Alex Fischer

Joseph Himon II, running back

Although Northwestern more routinely uses running backs Gavin Sawchuk and Caleb Komolafe, Himon has found the most success getting on the scoreboard.

Himon is easily the most versatile running back in the depth chart, balancing his rushing and receiving capabilities to give offensive coordinator Chip Kelly many ways to employ him.

The redshirt senior’s big-play ability makes him a threat from anywhere on the gridiron. On the ground he’s averaging 11.5 yards per carry on 10 attempts, one of which was an 80-yard touchdown against South Dakota State.

But keep an eye on how Northwestern uses him in the passing game in the red zone. Himon balled out in the air against Colorado on Sept. 19, scoring three touchdowns on three catches for 46 yards. He also had a 15-yard catch against the Jackrabbits.

Robert Fitzgerald, safety

Robert Fitzgerald rose the ranks from a depth safety to one of the conference’s best defenders throughout his four seasons at Northwestern. He’s continuing that success early in the 2026 season.

The redshirt senior currently leads the defense again with 38 tackles so far this season, including 15 solo tackles. He also recovered a fumble against Colorado and broke up a pass against the Jackrabbits.

Fitzgerald made a lot of history in 2025, and being named All-Big Ten second team was the least of his accomplishments.

He led the Big Ten with 69 solo tackles, had six tackles for loss, was the first defensive back at Northwestern to make over 100 tackles since 2016 and first defensive back in program history to make more than 110 tackles. Fitzgerald finished with 115 tackles, four pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Fitzgerald poses the biggest threat to Penn State’s passing game that struggled against Wisconsin last week.